Harry Hookey is one misdiagnosed tousled guy

Band: Harry Hookey
Where: Yah Yah's Bar

 

I must be getting old when I rock up to a Yah Yah’s bar at 8.45pm and the main act had just started and I get excited. Yes, I think, I will be home at a reasonable hour and not be wiped out for work the next day, oh dear you say, but I feel some of you will agree with me!

Harry Hookey and co are rocking the stage as I arrive and the punters are all grooving to the music. Harry is a chatty dude who introduces the band and explains that, with the exception of Dad on bass guitar, the other musicians playing tonight are usually playing a different instrument within the band but due to two family members going overseas, the band has switched positions and some instruments missing (keyboard being one of them). The punters love Dad, with his smiling face, no doubt proud of him son whom he taught guitar too. I’m sure I spotted Mum in the audience swinging to the music. Harry has all the appeal of a rock god with his wild tousled hair hidden under a flat cap (Gatsby style) but the essential brown wardrobe give a more earthy appeal and we must give kudos to dads scarf.

Songs such as Audreys Song, Man on Fire, Sometimes and the album title Misdiagnosed all hit the spot. I can’t help but imagine Harry in a larger venue as his vocals are that powering, he needs a much bigger venue to fill. A Day On The Green needs to get on board and get Harry out in a winery, he will be a crowd tickler. The plethora of fans who come out on this windy night got too meet Harry and co hang after the show as they chatted amongts the punters. A taller person than he looks on stage but just as earthy as he appears and he's happy to engage in conversation where I find out he is a massive Bob Dylan fan. Check him out.....

 

https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/harry-hookey/id480849233

 

Matilda Bay Brewery - Good Beer Week Melbourne 2014

Venue:Matilda Bay Brewery
Date: 20th May 2014 (delayed due to beer consumption)
Reviewed By: Espylyn

　

Matilda Bay Brewery, founded in 1984, threw a 30th birthday party and we were invited to help celebrate their occasion. It was perfect that the party reflected that delicious era of music from the 1980s, but mixed it up with music from the 90s and now.

A cab took us to the Matilda Bay Brewery in the back streets of Port Melbourne, in amongst the industrial area (the old Cadbury chocolate factory), and I had the feeling the cabbie was feeling a bit out of sorts and couldn’t wait to drop us off (do I really look like a female version of Mick Taylor?!).

Walking up to the brewery a large marquee was set up and our names ticked off the checklist, our arms receiving a slap wristband as entry card (LOVE it!) and off we went. We entered the large room, decked out in large chairs and plenty of dance space, to the sounds of the DJ spinning themed tunes. Guests were walking around in their 1984 gear, although most people were in ‘normal’ clothes (next time, more effort people!). The staff however, were all dressed for the occasion and beaming proudly as they sauntered around the room

We continue on to the bar area, which is perfect for hosting such an occasion. It's worthy to mention that this brewery is open to the public,

www.matildabay.com.au and they serve not only a multitude of beers, but a delicious array of food as well.

This Celebration coincides with Good Beer Week which is held around Melbourne from May 17th till May 25th and with over 200 venue’s participating it just gets bigger and better each year. Head to

www.goodbeerweek.com.au, find a venue of interest and book yourself a ticket to either a beer class, hop topics, food and beer matching as well as beer tours. It’s a Melbourne must.

So, what does one do when there are many beers presented to you? You jump right in and start with the interestingly named Minimum Chips; I’m sold at the beginning! Next we walked around the bar and lounge area meeting people and yapping general conversations until the end of the night when you are just laughing yourself silly (but that’s another story).

As we wandered around we came across a honour board dedicated to the brewers whilst on the TV was footage of cricket matches and car races of the era and we could even choose a book about beer from the extensive library.

The food presented was a reflection on the 1980s, with items such as cheese fondue, salmon vol-au-vent, prosciutto wrapped around melon, prawns, cheese and onion on sticks and potato skins (which were the best). Speeches were nice and early whilst we were all sober; Stuart and Matt summed up the wonderful Matilda Brewery and talked about its history and thanked everyone. Then it was pretty much time to taste the beers mentioned - there were a few. Apart from the favorites like Fat Yak, Red Back and Beez Kneez beer - which I’ve tasted many times before - tonight was about drinking thee beers which my taste buds hadn’t had the pleasure of enjoying before.

I make special mention of the two anchor beers the Dogbolter (a dark ale) and the Iron brew (a dark larger) which has been created especially for this special birthday.

Dogbolter has a perfect partner: chocolate; so when you visit the brewery, grab yourself a dogbolter beer with a slice of chocolate tart.

As one may know, when you enter your thirtieth year, we become more confident in ourselves and I think you will find the same has happened in these new beers.

Beer Tasted;
• Minimum Chips – Golden Ale (yeah baby) delicious,
• Abicollabi – a mixture of Matilda Bay, Mountain Goat and Moon Dog beer and it’s a barley beer that is 10% alcohol, yep, it’s a pocket rocket and it’ll hit you before you realise it,
• Ruby Tuesday – with four specialty malts its one yummy beer,
• Little Ripper – crisp pale lager,
• Iron Brew – woah, this is a stout looking beer for us non-stout drinkers. Flowers, hops and spice make the beer a big deal and it’s the special drink of tonight, a special brew designed for tonight’s occasion,
• Queen Bee – with its exquisite honey flavour, this is a fab beer. It tastes like there has been a drop of honey added to the beer after it was poured from the tap. I like to think of it as a drop of ‘horney’ into the beer personally.

I’m sure the organisers will hail this sold out event as a moment in time of glory and I feel the only lack was 80s music. Just not enough of it - bring on Madonna, Michael Jackson, Wham, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen etc; that would have got the dance floor cranking.

Happy 30th Birthday Matilda Bay Brewery, from your humble beginnings in Perth to spreading your wings across the Nullarbor to our crazy beer loving town.

#30yearsofbeer

as seen on;
http://www.theaureview.com/lifestyle/drink/matilda-bay-brewery-30th-birthday-21-05-14

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - AAMI Park, Melbourne, Saturday February 15th 2014

Its a very hard job to review a man who is seriously one of the best live entertainers in the world. A show that is around three and a half hours in length and a show that can boast some amazing talented musicians with one hell of an amazing front man. Put all that together and add in a guest appearance from Eddie Vedder and you have just witnessed history.
Bruce entered the show with an almighty arm thump and the crowd goes nuts and Bruce introduces a special guest, Vedder and into Highway To Hell they belt followed by Darkness on the Edge of Town. The crowd go insane, and with about 33,000 punters, insane sounds incredible.

After a cover of The Saints - Just Like Fire Would and some sign requests it was into the Born In The USA album, sung in its entirety. The album title had the crowd beyond nuts, a song that isn't often played at gigs and as Bruce says - "I played this at a few shows in the USA and I'll play it for Melbourne".
Shackled and Drawn is still a live favourite for me from his newer album and after about three hours I had to find a seat, yes I admit I came to the sense that having sore hip and feet wasn't worth standing anymore. I managed to get a close seat as a few people had left and it wasn't long before other people from the front snuck into the seats around me.

For those who haven't been to a Springsteen concert yet, you will find;
* passionate fans
* signs held up by fans relating to many things ie will you dance with me, will you dance with my mum/cousin/dad etc, can you play this song, can we get married on stage and so forth, I think you get my drift.

When you are faced with fans who have queued for hours, fans who have been standing for hours on their feet you will notice the fevour in their eyes and it won't be long until you get it.

I thought instead of writing about how amazing the show is, how about you learn about what to take to a Bruce Show;

1. Very very comfortable shoes. You will most likely be standing in them for four hours.
2. Plenty of water, will keep you hydrated and alert,
3. Hoodie with pockets. The hood in case it rains and pockets to place food items in to graze throughout the show,
4. Nibbles - nuts are a great source of energy,
5. Massage all over body prior to the show. May help alieviate muscle pain,
6. One cardboard sign - put what song or message you want on it but unless you are close to stage he won't see it,
7. Camera for the all important ONE TO FIVE photos but don't stand there all night snapping away, it really is annoying to those around you,
8. Money to buy the expensive merchandise if you wish, or for $20 you can get a copy one outside most venues,
9. Bandaids for blisters; and most of all,
10. Energy for a great nights of entertainment.

You will find that you will probably sweat more than the band who didn't look as though they broke a bead. Bruce was saturated but he does often put in head in a bucket of water that is on stage for him, to cool down - smart man.

Get yourself to a future gig - nuff said.

James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite at Melbourne Zoo Twilights

Band:James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite
Venue:Melbourne Zoo Twilights
Date: 14th February 2014
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder

Arriving with minutes to spare (blame the traffic) I arrived at the Melbourne Zoo to find a few thousand had beaten me and were already into the swing of things, but after a five minute wander I managed to find a patch of bark and got comfy in my chair, spread out items from the picnic basket and scoffed into chocolate and strawberries washed down with Coroner beer. Tonight, humans and animals are joined together at The Zoo Twilight for the Grammy award winning Daryl Braithwaite and James Reyne. The animals no doubt gaining a noise explosion as they nestle into their beds or for the nocturnal animals venturing out of their slumber to a cacophony of sounds. The humans are engaging in catching up with friends, queuing for a alcoholic beverage and pulling lids of Tupperware containers to display their culinary delights to fellow mates spread out on their picnic rugs whilst the animals search for food and play around with fellow mates (not so different from each other).

Braithwaite came on stage first (and right on time) and into As the Days Go By he sang displaying vocals in a variety of ranges. He managed to get the crowd singing early in the set and a few punters got up and danced away to the music. Braithwaite’s vocals are impeccable and although I’m sure he must get tired of singing the same hits, you would never know. Each hit is played with pleasure and passion before a sold out crowd at The Melbourne Zoo. People come to this gig for a social gathering with great mates as well as capturing two great Aussie musicians at the same time. There is always lots of chatting and I noticed there aren't many children here tonight. Must be a load of babysitters out there! Tonight Braithwaite played music from his latest album Forever The Tourist, a cover of All Day and All of the Night (The Kinks) as well as all this hits.　 Howzat gets the nostalgic fans in the audience going, Higher Than Hope, Summer Love, Beautiful Feeling, All I do, One Summer and the big hit Horses which by this time most people were up and dancing. Braithwaite is interactive with the crowd and displays a fantastic front man to the amazing band behind him.

As I go for a wander around I notice people are sitting anywhere they can. Many can't see the stage let alone the screen but they seemed perfectly happy. Visiting the lion cage draws many people and I witness the lions roaring, all three of them - even two of them laying on their sides were roaring away. I make sure I am back for James Reyne who begins the set with the hit Fall of Rome and I can tell you, his voice hasn’t faltered over the years. Into Slave, Beautiful People and the song about sharks; Hammerhead. As the evening wore on, the lights are more vibrant and the bats start to migrate from their trees in search of food. Even a few pairs of ducks fly over us. The zoo is looking chockers and the people are up and down constantly. Many are dancing on this balmy night as the songs continue; English Girls, Reckless, Motor Runs Way Too Fast and the cover Way Out West (The Dingoes). The screens are displaying what a lot of us can’t see and I cant’ help but wish the screens were situated in a better watching position for the people in the back rows, but I guess the Zoo has their reasons for current placement. Reyne continues into Rainbows Dead End, Errol and Oh No Not You Again which bring a lot of people to their feet dancing and chatting. You can see and feel people come to the Zoo twilight for the experience and enjoyment of sitting in the zoo grounds listening to the music and not necessarily to ‘see’ the band. Loads of people are chatting and laughing and having a fantastic time. The big hit Boys Light Up ends the night and most people are on their feet for this one, many are slipping out half way through to no doubt get ahead of the mass exit. Braithwaite and Reyne both sing the song and bring the set to an end and we all walk away happy with a great night out with friends and family and reminisce on how amazing it is to hear the lions roaring, only metres away, as we stroll out of the zoo grounds into our waiting cars.

as seen on www.thedwarf.com.au

John Butler trio - Flesh and Blood

John Butler is back in action with a new album and new tour lined up around Australia. Flesh and Blood is the 6th studio album, recorded over 2012-2013 at The Compound, Fremantle, Western Australia.

This album takes flavours from previous albums, long gone are the fifteen minute specialties that I personally loved about JBT when I originally fell in love with the band but the band still evokes that natural spirit and sound that this band is unique for. The songs are radio friendly and produced efficiently. Flesh and Blood still contains the JBT spirit – loads of strong vocals, guitar riffs, harmonies and a stunning back beat.

The first release off the album is Only One which is backed up with an awesome film clip, I recommend checking it out. I’m a fan of what the genre the clip is about and its great to see JBT expressing this. The song is a cruisy style, great for a road trip, sitting back chillaxing on the back porch and tapping those feet to the beat that is through the entire song.

Livin’ In The City embraces strong guitar with funk and beats whereas Cold Wind is haunting with its guitar strokes the lead into a classic guitar riff until John’s familiar vocals cruise in, they lick this song with familiarity and passion. Devil Woman is very upbeat, steam punk grooving song with harmonies and quick drum beats, a catchy number and perhaps the next single. Young and Wild brings the tone down with acoustic guitar and mellow singing. As much as JBT sings the mellow songs with passion and experience it’s the faster paced songs that I enjoy more. But in saying this, Wings Are Wide is just beautiful, gentle tone and I can almost say, one of my favourites on this album.

The album is out now at all good music stores.

 

http://johnbutlertrio.com

Bernard Fanning and The Cruel Sea - A Day On The Green 09.11.2013

Band:Bernard Fanning, The Cruel Sea
Venue: Rochford Winery, A Day On The Green
Date: 9th November 2013
Reviewed By: Lyn

As I stepped onto the grassy knoll that takes me to a plethora of loving fans for music and a great day out, I am reminded that it really doesn’t matter　 if the rain starts falling today. A Day on the Green is one of those events where you will always have a great time (okay, if fires or torrential rain start then that would clearly suck, but you know what I mean), and the music that is presented is usually of fantastic standard but you always gets moneys worth with an array of bands performing on the day.

 

Due to commitments, I didn’t get up to today’s event till later on but that was okay as my highlight was always going to be The Cruel Sea. I am absolutely stoked they are playing today’s event. With a stunner of a back catalogue, they always impress people, even those who don’t know all the songs. Today’s set list was more about the newer songs and boo, not the older songs. Songs such as No Choice, Daylight, Black Stick, Better Get A Lawyer, Honeymoon Is over and This Is Not The Way Home

(which ended the set). It’s such a freaking pleasure to watch these guys play. They put everything into the music, and fully get into the songs when on stage together. Jim White on drums shows pure adrenalin, Kenny G on bass guitar caresses that guitar like it’s a long lost girlfriend, James Cruickshank on guitar divinely melting each song with such pure talent, Dan Rumour on guitar who presents himself as someone with a bit of caution as well as a bit of gusto and of course the front man, Tex Perkins, who never fails to make me laugh with his banter. His vocals have the right stuff to have what it takes to entertain the crowd and they don’t falter throughout the set.

As the sun dropped, The Cruel Sea head up to the merchandise tent for autographs to the happy punters whilst on stage Bernard Fanning enters and into darkness the valley goes as the sun says goodbye for the day, it was time for the light show on stage

to take effect and it looks amazing. Into the music from the last two albums Bernard sang, the rain held off and people were getting up on their feet and soaking in the music with their bottle of wine in hand. The set list included songs off both albums from Battleships, Wish You Well, Watch Over Me and Songbird.

An amazing amount of talent today. Kudos to the other musicians who played, Sarah Blasko, Bob Evans and Whitely who would have been just as amazing to watch and listen to.

　

The Polyphonic Spree with Abbe May at the Foxtel Hub, Melbourne 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Two class acts hit the Foxtel Hub (as part of the Melbourne Festival) tonight in Melbourne. First up is the raunchy newly changed direction in style of music, the luscious Perth lady Abbe May. Her latest offering Kiss My Apocalypse (Electronica/Doom Pop style) sets the pace tonight and I can tell you after her set I could have gone home happy. The music is truly sexy, and you can’t stop watching the band. Abbe is in fine form, her vocals a killer and her music suits her presence with its intense sexual offerings. Opening with Want Want Want, the music is electrifying with guitar laced with Abbe’s sultry vocals. Sex Tourette is a fast paced song whereas Tantric Romantic takes you down a little again with grooving riffs swaying you from side to side. Kiss My Apocalypse and Karmageddon were my highlights and the performance is just as amazing live .

Her next tour hits our shores soon

http://tickets.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=39493

 

 

　

　

After a short break, the stage is set up to fit The Polyphonic Spree around, there are fifteen of them on stage tonight and they fit with plenty of room to move around. The Spree is a band where you don’t have to know the music to love them. It would help if you like choral, pop rock, but I think I can say that most fellow music lovers would nod their approval to the music of The Spree.

The show started with a large white piece of material than ran the length of the stage. Singer Tim DeLaughter brought out the can of spray paint and starting writing back to front and from right to left the words Love Australia Syle (yes, the T was placed in the sentence when pointed out by a band member) and Tim cut the material in half and from there they launched into the Opener. Their music filled the venue tonight, with three brass instruments, four backing angels, violin, double bass, guitars, drums and keyboard and tipped off with Tim’s bountiful energy, it was a sight to hear and see. They didn’t waste any time before breaking out one of the big hits Hold Me Now which had us all dancing and singing. The light show is fantastic, strobes, smoke, lasers – the show has it all. Delaughter bounced around on stage with enough energy to make me start thinking about going to the gym. He would take peoples phones or cameras and video close up’s of the band and crowd as well as himself. He would sing with the audience and when he looks at you with those incredible blue eyes, you’re taken. Delaughter used to be in the band Tripping Daisy and when this band ended in 1999, he explored making a band with other musicians, to put together a big sound with an orchestral palette. It works, I don’t know of many other bands like this. The energy, the music, the laughter, the songs – its all together in a colourful package.

Songs in the set included Light To Follow, You Don’t Know Me, Porpoise Song (The Monkees cover), The Best Part, My Umbrella (Tripping Daisy) and more. The set went for over two hours and by close to midnight, I was ready to hit the hay. The band seemed like they could keep going until the wee hours and as I went home, I left the band to meet the fans.

And yes, to add to my comment that I could have gone home after Abbe May, of course I’m glad I stayed!